ALTERNATIVE/INDIE

Keep On Smiling
By Two Door Cinema Club

Formed in 2007, Two Door Cinema Club are a three-member band from Northern Ireland – Alex Trimble on vocals, rhythm guitar, beats and synths; Sam Halliday on lead guitar and backing vocals and Kevin Baird on bass, synths and backing vocals.
Their fifth and latest album, Keep On Smiling via Glassnote Records, starts off with the instrumental piece Messenger AD, which stands out from the other songs with its drones and dark synths. What follows is a surprise – Blue Light, a peppy number. However, this infectious beat then continues.
In many of the tracks, you’ll discover a background choir chiming in, sometimes with a playful vibe and at other times, possibly, to underline the emotions behind the lyrics. Either way, this format tempts you to sing along. A variety of themes pop up throughout the LP, which are easily relatable: “We’re leaving today In search of a new life. We’ll change our colours and change our shape” on Blue Light suggests optimism and hopefulness; “It’s always a matter of time If I can get what I want, I’ll know it’s not enough” as on Millionaire, points towards an underlying realisation that no matter how much you have, at some point, you’ll want more; “We all get it wrong, so don’t stay mad for long” as on Wonderful Life is an exhortation to take back your life, your power regardless of the past.
In terms of the music, the synths and guitars keep things upbeat, offering dancerock vibes with ‘80s pop influences.

ALTERNATIVE/INDIE

The Pink Album
By Unloved

Unloved is an alternative music band formed in 2015 by American musicians Jade Vincent and Keefus Ciancia and Northern Irish musician David Holmes. They released their latest The Pink Album via Heavenly Recordings, which hits differently from the off.
Speaking of the sound of the album, think electro-punk, percussion and turbo synths, glam rock stompers, throbbing bass…there’s variety, oh yes! Afterall, there’s plenty of room to explore across a whopping 22 songs that could seem never ending. The intro Rainbrose is an instrumental piece. It’s almost psychedelic with the many effects and church-choir chime “Ahhh”. Girl Can’t Help It combines catchy drumbeats with a trance-like vibe, which seems like a contrast but works, transporting you to a different zone. WTC screams ‘60s psych pop through electronica.
The lyrics explore strong emotions. On WTC, for instance, “No one’s gonna hurt you, baby no one’s gonna make you sad,” followed by a shift from “You’re the best thing I ever had” to “I’m the best thing you ever had,” all points towards some kind of redemption. “She makes no sound with her subtle smile (fire). Silently becoming who she was all the while (fire),” on early single Mother’s Been A Bad Girl is imbued with the kind of fierce courage that’s often accompanied by the vulnerability of letting go, which makes it relatable.